Would the child be human? Would the child be Ancient? A mixture of both?
She, too, tried to speak to me before she left. I was angry, acknowledged her words, but didn’t want to deal with her. Since I met her, I wanted to be around her. She knew how I felt, and I had sworn she felt the same way.
My heartbreak had to be secondary. I was born and raised to save the world, to be a soldier against a force that took everything from us. Only I learned the enemy wasn’t exactly who I thought it was.
The Sybaris, or Ancients, didn’t take our world from us. They merely thrived in a world that was destroyed by their evil relatives. They made the best of it and tried to protect what was in their scope of abilities.
Now, the abilities wouldn’t be enough.
Would anything?
I wanted to fight, but I didn’t think I would be a soldier in the battle. Something told me it was bigger than a mortal man. I just had a feeling when the war began, I would be somewhere else doing my part.
FORTY-TWO – NITO
The trip back to Ancient City was an interesting one. While we rode in comfort in the back of the vehicle, the Mare kept staring me down, as if her youthful eyes would intimidate me. I ignored her, watching the scenery roll by as I held on to my Davis life jacket. It was a sense of comfort and told her visually where my dedication was.
Admittedly, had I not met Davis, been enchanted by his charms, swept up by his lips, I would not be as focused on saving the human race. If saving them meant saving Davis, I would do what it took. Even if he chose not to have me, to take back his life jacket, I had a moment, something real, and something I never felt as an Ancient.
Another thing I never felt as an Ancient was a nervous stomach. It twitched and jumped the closer we got to Ancient City. My heart raced, my breath was shallow. If I hadn’t known me better, I would believe I was experiencing… fear. The only thing I had ever feared was water and horses.
We pulled up to the front entrance of the palace and Iry rushed to the car.
“Good thing the boy is not here,” I said to Snake.
Iry opened the door.
“Gods on their clouds,” I said. “She’s not been gone one day.”
“Nito,” Iry said with distaste. “You look worse for wear. What is that thing you are wearing?”
“Jealous? It is a token of affection. One you will never receive without it being coerced.”
“Tell me, Vala,” he said. “Do you plan on destroying her?”
“I do.”
“Hatred binds them. I think my seventh husband hated me.”
“They all did,” Iry snapped.
“Seven husbands?” Davis asked, shocked.
“I’ve been around a long time,” I stepped from the vehicle and looked upon the palace.
I was home. I was fearful of going in there. I hadn’t a clue how I would be received or if my father would even acknowledge me or grant my request.
The moment was at hand.
<><><><>
“Who brings her to my court?” my father yelled. His voice echoed across the walls, bouncing back at me. It was only the Mare and I standing before him.
“Father, I—”
“Out! You have been banished!”
“Father, please. I—”
“Remove her from my sight!” he yelled. “Guards!”
Finally, Vala walked forward. “Wait. I brought her back with me.”
“You? You defy your king?”
“Begging your pardon, you are not my king,” Vala said.
It was not a smart thing to say to him.
My father’s face flashed red. “Mare!”
“Vala,” she corrected.
“How dare you disrespect me?”
“How dare you lie to me!” Vala shouted. “You led me to believe my sister was frozen in time. Condemned to live a child’s existence for the rest of her remaining years. You did so in order for me to marry into the Ancient world, when in fact you have the ability to make her human again. Before you is the woman that proves my point. Is she not human now?”
My father’s jaw twitched. He said nothing.
“When I say it is not my pleasure to have her with us, I mean it,” Vala said. “There is validity in her presence. If she is true to her word, then she can aid in this impending battle. And we need all the help we can get.”
“How would she help?”
“She would go to them, speak to her mother, find out where they intend on attacking so we can build a defense, or at least try. She is a very powerful source. She has the ability to not only transport mentally, but physically as well.”
“In this form?” the king snorted. “She’s lucky she can move ten feet at a good pace.”
I gasped at my father’s insult.
“And what is it that you wear around your neck?”
“It is called a life… jacket,” I replied. “It is symbol of protection and commitment when a human male finds favor with you.”
My father laughed. “A human male has found favor with you in that form?”
“Yes. And I he.”
“That form cannot take on the Savages.”
“My Ancient form can,” I said.
“No.” He shook his head.
“You must.”
He shook his head again defiantly.
“Your Highness,” Vala said, “I have given commitment to Iry, I carry his child, all so I can fight to save the lives of everyone here. But I cannot do it alone. I cannot fight if I need to do so blindly. She can be the eyes.”
“They will tell her nothing.”
“They will,” Vala insisted, “if I give her my blood to take as an offering.”
Finally, I saw my father’s look change. “You would do that?”
“I have to do that. We need to find out what is going on.”
After a moment of thought, my father stood. “Very well. I shall return you to your Ancient form. It is against my better judgment, and I feel you have learned nothing.”
“Ah,” I said. “Father, you wrong. I have learned much. So much so, I ask that when this task of war is over, should I emerge alive, that you return me once again to human form.”
“You want to be human?”
“It was never intended for me to be an Ancient. The feelings that humans get, the sensations, they are not part of the Ancient world. A cold heart can tingle with emotions as an Ancient, but as a human, it melts.”
“Seriously?” Vala snapped. “Are you talking about Davis? My Davis?”
“My Davis.” I ran my hand over the life jacket.
My father walked over to me. “You may take that off. It will not suit your Ancient form.”
“Will I not still feel for Davis?”
“You will.”
“Then I shall never remove it. If I had one to give to him, I am certain he wouldn’t remove his.”
“My daughter, I believe a part of you has changed.” He placed his hands on my shoulders and leaned in to me. “I return you.”
My father clasped me tight and I felt all air escape me. I gasped and wheezed for breath. Soon I was no longer in his clutches but in a whirlwind that spun me around faster than my mind could comprehend.
A thick mist formed around me and when it disappeared, I dropped to the floor.
No longer was I wearing the dungarees, but my daily Ancient attire of my off white, gold laced gown. My bloody was sleek and firm. I reached up to touch my face and my cheeks didn’t move. Then I saw it the life jacket was on the floor.
Instantly, I panicked, grabbed it, and it placed it over my head.
“Thank you,” I said to my father and turned to Vala. “I need that blood. We’ve no time to spare.”
<><><><>
Evening had set in by the time all arguments with my father had ceased and I had been returned to my Ancient form. Once I retrieved a throng of blood from Vala, I took off.
In order for me to transport my physical form I had to run. I had to ge
t my speed at its highest notch. It took a bit to do so and I swear I was nearly in the desert when I created enough speed that the flashes of light surrounded and transported me.
I went from a warm and bright world to a dark, damp, and slimy place. I emerged standing on top of a ledge that overlooked a long and wide gaping canyon in the Earth. Behind me were trees, and I felt the ground rumble.
I turned from the canyon to see thousands of Savages emerging out from the trees and racing toward the canyons. I lifted my arms with the full intention of battling them should they attack, but by far, there were too many. I would not survive, but I would not go down without a fight.
The Savages did not see me, if they did, they didn’t care. The ran beyond me, taking flight as soon as they hit the edge. They poured over the sides of the canyon like a waterfall, filling every inch of the area below.
There was no end in sight.
Then his voice called out. It was so deep and resonating, I felt it in my chest.
“Nito.”
I spun around. Anubis stood there. He was not only tall but large. Bigger than any human man or Ancient male. His image and form were frightening.
He had a man’s body with the head of a Savage, while wearing the nemes of a pharaoh. His eyes were a piercing green, and they had almost a glow. He walked toward me, carrying a staff.
“You were banished. Only a perfect Ancient would be given her form back so quickly.”
“A smart Ancient, my God.” Keeping a wall up in my mind, envisioning only black, I bowed to Anubis.
“What is this you wear around your neck?” he asked.
“It is a prized possession of a human. The leader of the rebellion. I have kept it as a trophy.”
“You have captured the human leader?”
“And handed him to my father.”
“What brings you here?” Anubis asked.
Before I could answer, my mother appeared from behind him. The last I saw her she was in complete Savage form. Now she was clothed and walked partially upright, like an ape. She did not speak; she slipped from behind Anubis and sniffed me like an animal.
“I come bringing a gift.” I lowered my head and held out the throng. “The blood of the Mare. She is in my control now.”
“You are indeed a dark soul. I like that.” Anubis brought his clawed hand down and took the throng. “Now my queen will be complete.”
“My mother is deserving of such an honor as to be your queen.”
“Is it true my minion has told your father of the impending attack?”
“It is true. He does not believe it.”
“Do you?” Anubis asked.
I looked around. “One would not need so many beasts if one was not building an army.”
“Ah, yes, an Army fifty thousand strong.”
“With an army of fifty thousand Savage soldiers invading our city, I shall admit defeat now and prepare to face my death.”
“Not you, my child.” He reached out and ran his finger down my face. I could feel the electricity of his touch. He was the God of Death and he made my skin crawl. “You are favored. You will live. Now come, visit with your mother and watch her reap the benefits of your gift.”
He reached out and took hold of my arm. I looked back at the Savages, and then followed Anubis. I wasn’t sure where we were going or if I would even be able to return. I would give it my best. I had to. Davis was counting on me.
FORTY-THREE – VALA
Nito had left hours earlier and the night of lights had already begun in the Ancient City.
Nito had turned back to an Ancient, took my blood, and left. She had been gone for hours.
The only positive thing was Sophie. My sister was human again. The king sent for her and when she was returned she was my sister again. She had no recollection of anything after going to bed that fateful night. I had to tell her about my marriage to Iry.
She was hungry and tired. It had been a while since Sophie ate or slept properly. After putting her to bed, I paced a lot.
“Once we hear from Madge,” Snake said from behind me, “you and I need to hit this town.”
“She’s not coming back,” I said.
“She’s coming back,” Snake insisted.
“She got her powers and she’s gone. We need to start another plan.”
The doors opened and Nito entered in her Ancient form.
“Wow, Davis, she’s hot like that. And she’s still wearing your life jacket.”
Davis stood. “Did you find out anything?”
“Yes,” Nito replied. “They are going to destroy us in four days. Grab the map, we need to speak to my father.”
The she turned and left.
<><><><>
Nito wasted no time once the king was summoned to the table. She whipped out the map, placed holders to keep it down, and pointed. “Here they are here.”
“That’s not even two hundred miles from here,” Davis said.
“They are planning to use the power of the special moon. I haven’t a clue what that means. Do you, Father?”
“No, but I will ask the stargazers.”
“The plan,” Nito said, “is to hit the Ancient City first.” She traced her finger down the map. “Once they wipe us out, they will move over Hopeland, then each area of the Straits, east to west. Angeles City follows, and they finish here.” She pointed.
“Washington state? What’s there?” Davis asked.
“Apparently enough people to control. They plan not to wipe that area out. That is and will be the feeding base. The new slave camp to Anubis.”
“Even if what you say is true to you,” I said, “how do we know that they told you the truth?”
“Because,” Nito stated arrogantly, “I am that good and I am also more intelligent than anyone in this room. My mother now has your blood, Vala, running through her veins. Your blood.” She reached out and placed her hands on my arms. “Find your blood. Tap into it, search it. What do you see?”
The second she said that, I briefly thought ‘Find my blood’, and I was no longer in that room, I was staring at Anubis. He leaned toward me, opened his mouth, and extended his tongue. I felt it on my neck and I snapped out and jumped back.
“What did you see?” Nito asked.
“Through your mother’s eyes.”
Nito smiled. “We’re in.”
FORTY-FOUR – TANNER
It had been decided that I would travel to Hopeland alone, but no one even thought about how I would get there. Hopeland was closer to the Ancient City and I had to cross a desert. It was going to be impossible.
Boss was a friend of Davis and they knew each other before the Event. He was in charge of finding boats. Problem was, any type of boat that remained was far from seaworthy. They had only a few days to get them ready.
Garret had a similar problem. He had to get explosives ready. What exactly we were blowing up was beyond me. We didn’t know where the Savages were or were heading first. He was told to plan on blowing up a city.
“I need to find a nuke,” Garret said.
“A nuke?” I asked. “What is that?”
“A ridiculous notion,” said Boss. “Not only will we not find a nuke, even if we did, do we need that kind of residue remaining? And who knows? Maybe the Ancients are immune to radiation. People aren’t. We need to figure out how to fire up a city.”
Boss made it sound simple. I still didn’t know what a nuke was. Going by how they spoke, I gathered it was some sort of bomb.
Since the day was already half over, I decided to wait until sunup before leaving for Hopeland. I took my guard position by the ocean, waiting on a Savage attack or even a Day Stalker attack. A part of me knew neither would come.
The peace of the evening gave me time to devise a travel plan. There was enough fuel for a vehicle to take me nearly three hours out, then I’d have to walk the rest of the way. A part of me looked forward to returning to Hopeland. It wasn’t a bad place at all.
Snake br
ought up Brea. I did like her, but I didn’t see her like I saw Vala. Besides, it wasn’t like there weren’t any girls to choose from, there were plenty. I just had my sights set on Vala.
That would have to change.
Everything I started to plan in my head was no longer a valid plan. Whether I liked it or not, she was on the side of those I lived my whole life believing were the enemy, another train of thought I had to recalculate.
I was just about to doze off when, surprising me, I heard Vala’s voice.
I thought maybe she had returned. Snapping my head forward, she stood before me in a vision. She was projecting.
“I thought you weren’t allowed to reach out to me,” I said.
“For this I am. I must be careful of what I say. My words may travel through the universe. Just know we are aware of the path of attack. Hopeland needs to know of the danger in four days.”
“I plan on telling them.”
“They needn’t leave, but they need to know. We need any and all firepower they can get, and volunteers to help move people.”
“They don’t have that many people there.”
“I know. I have to go, Tanner.”
“I understand.”
“How are you?”
“I’m doing.”
“Be well on your journey.”
“Vala, before you go, I have to know. Did you… did you ever feel anything for me?”
“Yes, Tanner. More than you realize...”
Then she was gone.
Before she left, I saw the husband, the educator, reaching for her.
It didn’t make anything better knowing that she at one time cared, but it helped. I needed to focus. A war was on the horizon, one I had been training for my whole life.
I was ready.
FORTY-FIVE – NITO
The War for Mare (The Fall of Man Book 3) Page 11